Super Mario Galaxy and KPop Demon Hunters hit Kids' Choice Awards
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and KPop Demon Hunters are among the animated films competing in Nickelodeon's 2026 audience-voted awards.
Nickelodeon has opened voting for the 2026 Kids' Choice Awards, with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and KPop Demon Hunters among the nominees for Favorite Animated Movie. One Piece is also nominated for Favorite Family TV Show, while several cast members and the song “Golden” appear in other categories. 1
The nominations give this year’s ceremony a broad animation focus. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is represented in the animated-film field, with Jack Black, Chris Pratt and Anya Taylor-Joy recognised in voice-performance categories. Brie Larson is also nominated for her performance as Rosalina. 1 KPop Demon Hunters earns nominations for Ahn Hyo-seop and Arden Cho, alongside its trio of lead characters and “Golden”, performed by EJAE, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami. 1
The awards are not evidence that any of these films or performers has won. They are entries on the public ballot, and the final results will depend on audience voting. Nickelodeon’s official awards site confirms that voting is open and that the ceremony will air on November 14 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, or 5 p.m. Pacific. 2
For UK readers, that places the ceremony in the early hours of November 15, subject to the broadcaster’s final schedule. The awards site is also offering additional voting-related rewards before November 13, making this a live audience campaign rather than a finished honours list. 2
Our opinion
The interesting part of this year’s ballot is how it puts established global franchises alongside newer streaming animation. The Super Mario Galaxy Movie brings Nintendo’s most recognisable characters into the film categories, while KPop Demon Hunters arrives with a soundtrack that has become a major part of its identity. That combination should make the animated-film vote more competitive than a simple franchise popularity contest.
It is still worth keeping the language precise: a nomination is a promotional milestone, not a verdict. The winners will be decided later, and the clearest result for now is that both films have secured another prominent audience-facing platform.